Tahquamenon Falls, Michigan

Upper Falls

The upper falls are about 60 meters wide and 15 meters high. At peak volume,
their discharge is second only to Niagara Falls among free-falling waterfalls east of the
Mississippi. Admittedly, it's a distant second.

The falls flow over late Precambrian
sandstone.

Below are views of the upper falls, At high water (first four pictures)
there is a continuous fall all the way across, but here at lower discharge
the falls split.

Left: gorge downstream from the upper falls.

Below: sandstone outcrops in the
river bed.

Above:
Outcrops in the gorge below the falls.

Left:
Outcrops behind the falls.

View downstream in the gorge. The river makes a U-turn to the left beyond
the point in the distance.

View of the falls from an overlook along the gorge.

Left: sandstone outcrops along the staircase into the gorge.

Below:
cross-bedding.

Left and below: distant views of the falls from the river bank.

Left: a stairway leads into the gorge downstream from the falls.

Left and below: a boardwalk along the gorge provides access to several view
points.

Left: map of the upper falls.

Lower Falls

Lower Tahquamenon falls is a series of cascades and small falls with the
highest about 3 meters high. The river divides around a small island. Below is the
west channel. The only
access to the island is via rental boat or wading.

Left: east channel

Left: Map of the lower falls area. The river here actually flows north
around a small island. The west (left) channel is accessible by trail; the
east (right) channel is accessible only from the island, which can be
reached by rental boat or wading.

Left: falls in the west channel with view platform. The trail extends beyond
the view platform all the way to the upper falls.

Left and below: The main falls on the west channel. The trail follows the
north bank of the river. This channel carries the most water, so even at low
water, access to the island requires wading.